Annual trip to Devon and Ham Wall (1 Viewer)

[ClarkWGriswold]

I think the spot at the base of the bill points to Marsh Julie.

Rich

 

[Julie50]

Thanks again Rich

 

[Julie50]

One of my partner’s arty photo from yesterday He did not like the Tor ones!

 

[Julie50]

Day 5: Ham Wall (again)

Fabulous day - started drizzly but sunny by lunch time. Excellent birds and great hide chat

Dunnock,
Robin,
Crow,
Cormorant,
Mute swan,
BH gull,
Chaffinch,
Buzzard,
Chiffchaff,
Blackbird,
Black cap,
Magpie,
Coot,
GC grebe,
Reed warbler,
Marsh harrier,
LBB gull,
Water rail,
Little grebe,
GW egret,
L egret,
Grey heron,
Swallow,
Moorhen,
Pochard,
Gadwall,
Bittern,

Slow worm
Stickleback
Roach - I think!

 

[kb57]

That looks like a Linnet to me Julie. Sounds like you’re having a great time. That food sounds delicious.

Rich

And also agree with willow warbler.

 

[Julie50]

Thank you

 

[Julie50]

Day 6: Cosdon Hill, South Zeal, Dartmoor. Lovely day walking the moor. Rows and circle are Bronze Age.
I think toad, but could be frog?

Wren,
Blackbird,
Jay,
Crow,
Stonechat,
Wheatear,
Buzzard,
Kestrel,
Slow worm,
Grass snake
Toad

South Zeal is interesting because it still retains the Burgage Plots, pic included no. 7, which are the plots off the back of each ”house” on the main street, which most villages are supposed to have had in England in the early Middle Age ( 1200’s in this case.)

 

[Julie50]

Day 7: Meldon reservoir and Black Tor. What a day

The local birds have found my feeder - finally.

Chaffinch
Blue tit
Robin
Blackbird (juv)

Set off from Meldon Reserviour car park. Very low water level.

 

[Julie50]

On the moor.

Linnet (think I’m right this time Rich!)
Swallow
Wheatear
Crow (may have also seen Raven on the tor?
Buzzard
Pipet
Skylark
Peregrine 😀😀😀😀😀

Stopped for water on one of those ridges between two rises which also drops either side. Put down day pack and flushed half a dozen skylark. All of a sudden out of the corner of my right eye dark bird, very fast on an angle. Peregrine took a skylark about 20 feet in front of me, right at eye line due to slope dropping off. Did one of those amazing last minute “course” corrections, then all you could see were the dangling legs of an ex-lark and a beautiful sleek falcon. One of the best birding experiences of my life - of course no pics - too quick.

 

[kb57]

Day 6: Cosdon Hill, South Zeal, Dartmoor. Lovely day walking the moor. Rows and circle are Bronze Age.
I think toad, but could be frog?

Wren,
Blackbird,
Jay,
Crow,
Stonechat,
Wheatear,
Buzzard,
Kestrel,
Slow worm,
Grass snake
Toad

South Zeal is interesting because it still retains the Burgage Plots, pic included no. 7, which are the plots off the back of each ”house” on the main street, which most villages are supposed to have had in England in the early Middle Age ( 1200’s in this case.)

Nice golden-ringed dragonfly there too!

 

[Julie50]

Some funster had made a mini-Stonehenge out of a collapsed cairn, also some pics of the walk. Decided to stay an extra day

 

[Julie50]

Nice golden-ringed dragonfly there too!

Thanks

 

[d.steeley]

I have really enjoyed your reports Julie, thank you.

Dave

 

[foresttwitcher]

Stopped for water on one of those ridges between two rises which also drops either side. Put down day pack and flushed half a dozen skylark. All of a sudden out of the corner of my right eye dark bird, very fast on an angle. Peregrine took a skylark about 20 feet in front of me, right at eye line due to slope dropping off. Did one of those amazing last minute “course” corrections, then all you could see were the dangling legs of an ex-lark and a beautiful sleek falcon. One of the best birding experiences of my life - of course no pics - too quick.

Raptor v's prey encounters like this have been some of the best birding experiences I have had - all over quickly but great behaviour action.

 

[Julie50]

Thank you Dave

 

[Julie50]

Day 8: Ivybridge and Bingham-on-Sea (last day).

Rain on the moor this morning so decided to go South. Remembered good lunch in Ivybridge and not much to see in Plymouth, so opted for Bingham after lunch. Lunch at Rochelle’s by the River was still good, but nothing much else in Ivybridge.

At Bingham, car park expensive, and seaside more crowded than we would usually go to, but we do like empty! Interesting ”island” accessible for most of the day, so though we would give it a go and were glad we did Birds first:

Hedge sparrow,
Starling,
Linnet,
Stonechat,
Goldfinch,
Blackbird,
Herring gull,
LBB gull,
BH gull,
Crow,
Gannet,
Cormorant,
Little egret,
Kestrel,
Oystercatchers

 

[Julie50]

“Pill box” is actually earlier, although was used as this in WW2, and was used to spot shoals of pilchards. The locals would then set a net around the shoal. Lots of interesting sea creatures as tide was going out, there is a river which joins the sea, and low sloping, large sandy beaches.

 

[Torview]

I enjoyed reading your posts Julie, makes me realise how lucky I am to have lived here all my life.

If you are this way again may I suggest walking the beginning of Tavy Cleave, in the area around the leat take off from the Tavy there are usually two pair of Whinchats to be seen.

 

[Julie50]

I enjoyed reading your posts Julie, makes me realise how lucky I am to have lived here all my life.

If you are this way again may I suggest walking the beginning of Tavy Cleave, in the area around the leat take off from the Tavy there are usually two pair of Whinchats to be seen.

Thank you - we love it here and will be back this time next year Will give Tavy Cleave a go - thanks again.

 

[a_j_steele]

I think you got a GBB Gull 3 post up as its got pink feet, Nice report